Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is an effortless one-dish meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Prepared by layering chicken and rice in a casserole dish, then baking everything together, this recipe offers a perfect balance of creamy, fresh flavors with minimal hands-on time, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Main
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs
Base & Liquids
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 Cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer rice and chicken: Spread the rice evenly in the casserole dish. Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the rice and season both with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble and add broth: Spoon the prepared tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken to create a creamy topping. Pour the chicken broth gently over the contents of the dish. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake to perfection: Place the covered casserole dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked through, and the rice will absorb the broth and become fluffy.
Notes
- Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture for a thicker tzatziki.
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on preference; thighs will yield juicier meat.
- Covering the dish with foil traps steam, ensuring perfectly cooked rice and tender chicken.
- For added flavor, sprinkle a little extra fresh dill on top before serving.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prepping as flavors enhance upon resting.
Keywords: Chicken, Tzatziki, Baked rice, Greek cuisine, One-dish meal, Healthy dinner
